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Barcelona Announce Signing Of Vitor Roque

Barcelona have completed the signing of Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque from Athletico-PR for an initial fee of around £26m, which could rise as high as £52m.

The 18-year-old will join the squad for the start of the 2024-25 campaign and has penned an eight year contract running until the end of the 2030-31 season.

The youngster becomes the La Liga champions’ third signing of the summer after the arrivals of Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez, who both joined on free transfers.

And is hoped to be the heir to Robert Lewandowski’s central striking position as the legendary Pole nears the end of his career at 35-years-old.

With his current club Athletico, Roque managed 22 goals from 65 games, including six in his last six outings.

Laporta claimed the club did not wish to be drawn into a bidding war with their rivals but on Tuesday hailed the potential of their new signing, who he expects to deliver goals.

‘He very much has his own style,’ he told Mundo Deportivo. You can’t really compare him with [Brazil strikers] Ronaldo or Romario.

‘He is someone that is deadly with both feet inside the box. He is different to what we have had here before.

‘If you had to compare him to anyone, it would be Ronaldo, who was a force of nature with us. [Roque] has bags of potential, is young, powerful and Brazilian.’